Reformation
1500-1600

Main Idea: Martin Luther’s protest over abuses in the
Catholic Church led to the founding of Protestant churches. John Calvin and
other Protestant leaders began new protestant churches. Catholic Church also
makes reforms.

I.Reformation

A.Causes

1.Past practice: domination of Rome

2.Renaissance: promoted secular & the individual

3.Printing press

4.Ruler v. pope

5.Taxation

6.Early reforms failed

B.Martin Luther—German monk—Reformation begins

1.Protested indulgences

2.95 Theses: formal statement attacking “pardon
merchants”

3.His teachings

aSalvation—God’s gift of forgiveness

bBible—basis of Church teachings

cEquality among believers

4.Response

aExcommunicated by pope

bEdict of Worms: declared heretic & outlaw

cGerman peasants revolt (1524)

dWar waged against Protestant princes; Peace of Augsburg

C.England becomes Protestant

1.Henry VIII: annulment denied

aAsks Parliament to end pope’s power in England

bAct of Supremacy passed: English king, not the pope, head
the Church of England

2.Clashes over religious reform when his heirs take throne

aElizabeth I returns throne to Protestant

D.John Calvin—France

1.Created system of Protestant theology—Calvinism

2.Geneva: run as theocracy

3.Scottish, Dutch, & reformers adopt a Calvinist form of
church organization